Photo credit: San Francisco Parks & Recreation | | |
Welcome to our summertime issue of Northern News! Dive into stories on visionary planning—from transforming Eastside Alum Rock into a walkable cultural hub to bold housing and climate solutions at the 2025 California Conference in Monterey. Explore legislative updates, regional sustainability efforts, and inspiring award-winning projects advancing equity and resilience. Plus, discover new initiatives, scholarships, and events that connect and empower planners across California!
In This Issue
Feature Articles:
- Join the APA California 2025 Conference in Monterey
- Bringing urban planning to children: Young-at-heart on College Avenue
- Engaging Eastside Alum Rock
- PEN oral history project
- Northern 2025 mid-year sponsorship update
News & Announcements:
- Director's notes
- Planners Emeritus Network (PEN) oral history project
- Northern 2025 mid-year sponsor update
- APA California 2025 membership survey
- APA Refer a Friend program
- Allied organizations' upcoming events & programs
- National Planning Conference 2026
- July legislative update
Thanks for reading,
Your Northern News editorial team
Andrew Trippel, AICP | Richard Davis, AICP Candidate | Francine Farrell
Dhawal Kataria, AICP, RSP1 | Ryan Adamson | Aarthi Pad | Edward Huynh
Our Legacy | Northern News | Our Voices
| | | | The 2025 Conference in Monterey explores innovative planning solutions, fostering connections and transformative strategies. Join public and private planners, students, and leaders to address housing, climate, and equity, with sessions, workshops, and networking in a vibrant coastal setting. | | | |
Young-at-heart on College Avenue
By James Rojas, founder Place It!, July 21, 2025
Our streets should ignite wonder in people of all ages—especially children! Imagine window displays that spark imagination and invite everyone to wander, explore, and play. That’s how the simple act of walking can turn into a magical urban adventure.
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By Students of Spring Capstone Studio Class, San José State University, Spring 2025
The Capstone Studio 2025 Class at San José State partnered with the City to reimagine Eastside Alum Rock as a walkable, vibrant urban village, celebrating its rich Vietnamese and Hispanic heritage through community engagement, public art, and thoughtful policy recommendations.
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| The Planners Emeritus Network (PEN) Oral History Project captures interviews with notable California planners, sharing personal stories and milestones. Enriching the APA California Archives, it provides planners, students, educators, and policymakers with essential insights into the evolution, impact, and significance of planning across the state’s communities. | | | APA California — Northern, with over 2,100 members, thrives on sponsor support to fund vital programs: professional development, social events, mentorship, and the acclaimed Northern News. Nearly $5,000 has been raised in 2025, ensuring continued opportunities that foster community and professional growth for planners across the region. | | | Northern Section news and announcements | | Get ready for an electrifying year ahead! With the Waves of Change Conference just 75 days away, anticipation is building. We’re celebrating new Board members, heartfelt farewells, and exciting volunteer opportunities. Join us, share your energy, and be part of something extraordinary—reach out and help shape our future! | |  | The 2025 APA California Membership Survey shows members value professional and legislative benefits but expresses concerns about costs and communication. Improving engagement, clarifying benefits, and addressing issues are essential for stronger statewide member loyalty and satisfaction. |
| Join APA California — Northern’s Board! Enhance your skills, network with peers, and serve your community by applying for open roles, including Diversity Co-Director and Regional Activity Coordinator. | The Northern's allied professional organizations offer events and programs in a variety of formats that you may find align well with your professional and continuing education goals. | | | Join APA’s Refer a Friend Trial before August 22 and earn a $50 APA Shop gift card for each new member you refer. Each successful referral also enters you into a raffle for a grand prize. | The call for proposals and reviewers runs from July 30 to August 20 at 5 p.m. CT. Share your ideas and join the largest annual event in planning—don’t miss this opportunity! | | The Appropriations Committees met on May 23, 2025, reviewing high-cost proposals amid a $12 billion deficit. With a $321.9 billion state budget, fewer bills may pass, but essential planning bills are expected to move forward. | |
- Northern News is written for you, by you.
- Original articles by you and your colleagues.
- Your original, high-resolution photographs.
- News about colleagues.
- Excerpts and links to news stories and research you may have missed.
- Letters, suggestions, and articles are always welcome. Write an article. Tell us what you like about Northern News. Tell us what needs improvement.
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Contact communication@norcalapa.org.
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2025 Annual Northern Sponsors
Thank you!
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